Southfield — Ch. 105 Registration and Inspection of Multiple Family Residential Dwellings § 8.705

(1) The code official, or his/her authorized representatives or employees, shall inspect, on a periodic basis, multiple family residential dwellings regulated by this chapter. All multiple family residential dwellings shall be subject to an annual inspection, subject to subsection (5) hereof.
(2) The department shall prepare an inspection schedule for existing multiple family residential dwellings. Selection of dwelling units for inspection shall be based on a random methodology adopted by the department from time to time, and shall include not less than twenty (20) percent of all dwelling units within each multiple family residential dwelling in the city, subject to the exceptions set forth in section 8.705 (5) hereof.
(3) Upon inspection of twenty (20) percent of dwelling units within a multiple family residential dwelling as set forth herein, in the event that more than fifty (50) percent of such dwelling units fail the inspection, the department may require that additional dwellings units in such number as the department shall determine (up to one hundred (100) percent of the dwelling units within the premises) shall be inspected by the department.
(4) If the most recent inspection of the premises including not less than eighty (80) percent of the dwelling units selected for inspection reveals no violations of applicable codes, the certificate of compliance issued by the department upon such inspection shall be valid for a period of three (3) years and no routine periodic inspections as set forth in section 8.705 (2) shall be required during such three (3) year period, provided that any violations existing in the remaining twenty (20) percent of the dwelling units inspected are corrected within the time established by the code official. Provided, however, any inspections initiated pursuant to subsection 5(a), (b), or (e) as set forth hereafter shall remain in effect. If any subsequent inspection(s) reveals condition(s) that reflect a hazard or danger to health or safety the certificate of compliance shall be immediately suspended or revoked by the code official as to the affected area(s) and/or dwelling unit(s), and those premises which have been or are occupied for dwelling purposes may be ordered vacated by the code official until reinspection and proof of elimination of the condition(s) constituting the hazard or danger to health and safety.
(5) Provided, however, the department shall have the right to conduct inspections of multiple family residential dwellings and dwelling units situated therein on a different basis or more frequently than as set forth in section 8.705 (2) hereof under the following circumstances:
(a) Upon a request by a tenant to inspect a unit or the premises;
(b) Upon a request by the property owner or manager to inspect a unit(s) or the premises;
(c) Upon receipt of information that the multiple family residential dwelling is not registered with the city pursuant to section 8.703 hereof;
(d) Upon a recurrent violation basis, under circumstances where the premises have had a high incidence of recurrent or uncorrected violation(s) of applicable codes;
(e) Upon receipt of information or knowledge of a threat to life, serious injury or to the public health in connection with the occupancy of a unit or structure, or other emergency including, without limitation, fire, flood, air contamination, infestation, explosion, utility failure, or the like.
(6) Except in circumstances involving an imminent threat to life or public health, at least fifteen (15) days prior to an inspection or inspections, the department shall send in writing a notification to the property owner and the manager including the date, time and the unit or units to be inspected. The property owner or manager may request a change in the inspection appointment no less than ten (10) days prior to the scheduled inspection; a new inspection appointment shall be scheduled within thirty (30) days from the original appointment. In circumstances involving an imminent threat to life or public health, the department shall notify the property owner and the manager of the inspection with such advance notice as is reasonable under the circumstances.
(7) Inspections of the premises and all dwelling units to be inspected shall be scheduled, to the extent practical, on a single day. If the department determines it will require more than one (1) day to conduct the inspections based upon the number of dwelling units to be inspected, the inspections shall occur on multiple, consecutive days.